The Bear 650 tyre size reads 100/90-19 up front, where Royal Enfield chose a tall hoop, and 140/80 R17 behind, tubeless at each end. Royal Enfield fits a tall 19 inch front and a meaty 17 inch rear to give this 650 twin scrambler more ground clearance and room to play on gravel.
Every colour option shares these sizes. The interesting parts are the dual purpose tread, how hard you can ride it off road, and what changes if you swap patterns. Other big bikes are listed on our two wheeler size index.
Bear 650 fitment card
- Front tyre
- 100/90-19 tubeless
- Rear tyre
- 140/80 R17 tubeless
- Wheels
- 19 inch front, 17 inch rear
- Tyre pressure (cold)
- Front 32 psi, rear 36 psi solo
Royal Enfield Bear 650 tyre size table
| Position | Size | Wheel |
|---|---|---|
| Front | 100/90-19 | 19 inch |
| Rear | 140/80 R17 | 17 inch |
The front code has a dash, the rear an R. That mix is normal on scramblers: a bias ply front with a radial rear. When replacing, follow the same construction for each end unless a tyre maker sells a matched set.
Reading 140/80 R17 on the Bear
Bear rear rubber spans 140 mm. Its sidewall reaches 80 percent of 140, around 112 mm, unusually tall for a road bike rear, which cushions square edged rocks. R marks radial plies; 17 gives rim inches. Bear fronts, coded 100/90-19, carry 100 mm width, 90 mm walls and that tall 19 inch hoop.
Tall Bear sidewalls also help on Indian city craters, where a low profile tyre would dent its rim. Codes for every motorcycle are explained in our sidewall code page.
How tall are Bear 650 tyres?
- Bear front, 100/90-19: 482.6 + 90 + 90, near 663 mm
- Bear rear, 140/80 R17: 431.8 + 112 + 112, near 656 mm
Both ends finish close in height, which keeps the Bear level and neutral. Swap to a shorter rear, say a road biased 140/70, and the tail drops, slowing steering and reducing clearance over speed breakers. Keep replacements to the stock codes.
Road, gravel and the factory tread
Factory Bear tyres carry a block pattern built for mostly tar with occasional dirt. They grip on dry gravel trails and broken ghat sections, but deep mud packs their grooves. Riders who head into serious slush fit knobblier tyres in the same sizes; those wear faster on highways and hum at speed.
For long expressway runs, a road biased pattern in the stock codes lasts longer and corners more steadily. Whichever you pick, ask for tubeless in matching sizes.
Bear 650 pressure, solo
For a lone Bear rider, two sources line up: 32 psi ahead, 36 psi behind, measured cold. A higher rear figure for pillion riding appears in one source only, so check your handbook before loading up. Bear sidewall maximums are limits, not targets.
Some riders drop pressure for sand or loose trails. If you do, ride slowly, and refill to 32 and 36 before returning to tar. Our motorcycle air guide covers loaded settings in general.
Bear tyre wear and damage
A 650 twin with plenty of torque eats rear tyres, especially the block edges under hard acceleration. Inspect the Bear rear every few weeks; when blocks wear level with the moulded indicators, change it. After trail rides, check for cuts between the blocks and on sidewalls. Found a Bear cut or bulge? Ride gently straight to a specialist, and only continue once they approve. Our tubeless tyre guide explains which repairs are safe.
Questions owners ask
Bear 650 front size?
100/90-19, tubeless, on a 19 inch wheel.
What is the Bear 650 rear tyre size?
140/80 R17, a tubeless radial on a 17 inch wheel.
Knobblies on a Bear 650, possible?
Yes, in the stock 100/90-19 and 140/80 R17 sizes. Expect quicker wear and more noise on tar.
What pressure should the Bear 650 run?
Riding the Bear alone? Use 32 psi ahead and 36 psi behind, gauged before setting off. Check the owner's manual for pillion or luggage figures.
Do other Royal Enfield 650s share Bear rubber?
No. Scrambler duty gave the Bear its own 19 and 17 inch pairing. Compare our GT 650 tyre size page.
Tubeless on the Bear?
Yes, Royal Enfield fits tubeless rubber at each Bear wheel, which is why Bear owners heading off tar like to carry plugs and a compact inflator.